Green Tea in Skincare: Top Benefits for Your Skin
We’ve all been told time and time again that drinking green tea is amazing for your health, but did you know that green tea in skincare has benefits for your skin, too? This natural skincare ingredient boasts benefits for all skin types thanks to a unique antioxidant blend that you’ll only find in green tea.
Why Is Green Tea in Skincare?
I know what you’re thinking - why create green tea skincare in the first place? Wouldn’t we get the benefits from drinking it? Well, that’s partially true - drinking green tea can be beneficial for your entire body, not just your skin.
However, there are some unique benefits that your skin gets from green tea skincare products that you might not get from just drinking this healthy drink. Firstly, green tea is an antioxidant - and the benefits of antioxidants for the skin are many. I might even argue that they’re the next most important part of a skincare routine after moisturiser and SPF!
Green tea has a specific kind of antioxidant called a ‘catechin’ that helps to defend your skin against free radical damage. The one that’s the most well-researched with the most benefits is called Epigallocatechin gallate, sometimes shortened to EGCG and is responsible for the benefits of green tea skincare.
What Are the Benefits of Green Tea Skincare Products?
Now that we know what molecule is responsible for making green tea in skincare a powerful ingredient, what does green tea actually do? Quite a lot, in fact - and one of the best things about it is that green tea isn’t picky about the kind of formula it appears in.
Green tea skincare products can include moisturisers, serums, cleansers, and essences - it’s not a picky ingredient that requires a specific formula to work! Here are some of the reasons you might want to reach for green tea-enriched skincare products in your beauty routine.
Softens the Signs of Ageing
As an antioxidant, green tea is fantastic for softening the signs of ageing - especially ones linked to sun damage. Studies have found that green tea polyphenols are especially effective at fading the appearance of age spots, wrinkles, and sunspots for more radiant, youthful-looking skin.
Lends Antioxidant Protection
One of the biggest reasons to use any antioxidant on your skin - including green tea - is for its power to neutralise free radicals, harmful molecules that cause collagen loss and wrinkles in your skin. Antioxidants effectively shield skin from free radicals found in UV light, pollution and cigarette smoke, preventing any premature signs of ageing from taking hold.
Improves Skin Hydration
Studies have found that EGCG can improve your skin’s ability to hold onto hydration, an important factor that supports overall skin health; it means your moisture barrier is intact and serves to protect your skin from environmental dryness.
When it comes to green tea in skincare benefits, this one might seem underrated but goes a long way! Well-hydrated skin can heal from breakouts faster, has less noticeable wrinkles, and has a lit-from-within glow.
Soothes Irritation
Another power that almost all antioxidants have is the ability to soothe irritation - and green tea skincare is no exception. It’s able to do this with natural anti-inflammatory benefits, reducing redness and restoring equilibrium back to angry skin.
Balances Sebum Production
Research has also found that green tea extract is able to regulate how much oil your skin produces! This means that for those with oily skin and combination skin, a green tea skin care product could help your skin feel less greasy and shiny without drying it out and causing irritation.
The Bottom Line About Green Tea Skincare
Green tea in skincare benefits your skin health from pretty much all angles - it’s great for tackling the signs of ageing, improving hydration and banishing irritation for healthy, hydrated skin. Now that you know all the benefits of green tea skincare, get your beauty affairs in order and add this naturally amazing ingredient to your skincare routine!
Or, if you’re still trying to create a skincare routine in the first place, try our skin analysis quiz.
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